It is only a question of when - not if - Sunderland will be relegated, but they will go down fighting as long as Kevin Ball is in charge.

The caretaker manager, who never experienced a Premiership defeat at the Stadium of Light as a passionate and abrasive player, began his temporary reign in predictable fashion as Sunderland were beaten by a fine goal from Henri Camara. But the performance of the players he inherited from Mick McCarthy did nothing to harm Ball's pursuit of the job on a permanent basis. They shrugged off the early setback of Camara's goal to trouble a side who came up with them last season, particularly during a first half, when only three fine saves by John Filan prevented Sunderland taking control.

Those chances came after Ball's managerial career got off to a terrible start, with Sunderland going behind after only eight minutes. Nyron Nosworthy's feeble touch presented the ball to Camara, who responded with a glorious first-time shot that veered in off a post.

Sunderland's reaction to the setback was admirable, particularly because it came against a background of chants critical of club chairman Bob Murray. The catalyst for most of their best moves was young midfielder Grant Leadbitter, whose astute through-pass almost brought a goal for Stephen Elliott in the 17th minute.

Elliott also forced a fine save from Filan in the 26th minute before Sunderland's first-half frustration peaked in the 29th minute. First, Filan saved from Rory Delap after Kevin Kyle had headed the ball down. Then, when the roles were reversed, Kyle volleyed Delap's pass beyond Filan but was offside. Filan pulled off another fine save from Kyle to deny Sunderland the equaliser they deserved.

Even that late scare could not disguise the fact that Ball's arrival had generated one of the best 45 minutes produced by Sunderland in this sorry season.

They were unable to sustain the momentum after the interval as the two teams cancelled each other out until the 89th minute, when Jon Stead poked the ball wide after Filan failed to grasp Dean Whitehead's shot.

A draw would have been the least Sunderland's performance warranted, but Wigan held on to keep their first clean sheet in 10 games. They still hope for a place in Europe as Sunderland race head-long towards the Championship.

Man of the Match GRANT LEADBITTERG - Good news has been hard to find at Sunderland this season, but they have unearthed a fine midfielder in Leadbitter, who tormented Bullard and Kavanagh with his ability to pinch possession and distribute crisply.